John Winn

John passed peacefully in my arms with his beloved Macy (our yorkie) snuggled tight to his side, and our close friends surrounding him bedside at Dulcina Hospice, where he made his home for the last 4 months.

John was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer on December 10, 2022. He fought with fierce determination these past 11 months. As with every other task assigned to John during his life. He was determined to make sure everything was “right” before he left.

John will be lovingly remembered by his adoring wife and soulmate, Louise, his children, son Matthew (Caro), and daughter Melanie (Rony) and many loving relatives.

John will also be missed by his first grandchild, Anthony, born October 26, 2023, to John’s son and partner. Matthew made a promise to his father that Anthony would know him well. Grandpa face timed and chatted to Anthony daily until his passing. He loved his little buddy, his pride evident in his huge grin every time he got to see him.

John, adored his pets and all animals. He is now reunited with his most loved loyal buddy Willy and other past family pets. Macy, our yorkie, was continuously by his side this past year and even his cats joined him at hospice.

John officially retired this past May, after working 45 years with Pratt & Whitney Canada, as Regional Sales Manager of Canada. Loving the “art of the deal” he made sure all his customers were treated fairly. He developed many wonderful relationships with these customers and colleagues over the many years with the company.

John relished life, “mild” adventure, and travel with Lou in their “rolling condo” to many spectacular places where they made long lasting friendships, always making memories, and special times. He enjoyed good laughs, and he had a positive attitude that was infectious. He always had a good word for everyone, and he would help anyone who needed it. While he loved his quiet times he enjoyed being with friends, and no one was a stranger. He loved sitting and talking, learning, laughing, and telling stories keeping all of us in stitches. He loved to just to goof around. He embraced a great many passions and enjoyed each thoroughly!

In 2014, John made a dream come true and found a tiny beach house in a hidden neighborhood in Cutler City/Lincoln City, Oregon. Welcomed by fabulous neighbors who quickly became close friends, this became John’s very favorite place. Enjoying every minute he spent there, his mood would change to pure joy as he drove into the little town.

Loving the ocean, many hours were spent exploring the beaches and coast, hunting for agates, and beach treasures, fishing, crabbing, storm watching, puttering in his garden, and eating Dungeness crab and fish he caught all while enjoying a cold Oregon IPA or sipping on fine Oregon wines. He of course knew everyone in the area from his morning walks …. So, some days nothing got done, which was just fine with him.

John and I would love to offer a very special thank you to everyone at Dulcina Hospice. John loved and respected every single one his aides, nurses, all the staff and volunteers at Dulcina. They treated him with absolute dignity and kindness. He knew everyone by name, and his room was always full of staff just stopping to say hi and making sure he was comfortable! He just wanted to know each of them.

To Dr. Sharma, his physician at Dulcina, thank you, we are so grateful to you. You made sure to keep John comfortable, pain free and lucid. Your actions made John’s last months more than bearable.

A Memorial Service to honour John will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on December 8, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. The service will also be live streamed for all our wonderful friends far away or those unable to attend.

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to Dulcina Hospice at 110 Evanspark Manor NW, Calgary, Alberta T3P 0N4 or calling 587-230-5500. Or to the Meow Foundation at www.meowfoundation.com.